Awning



May 12, 1959 @n.wm '1f- 2,886,104 AWNING f Filed Feb. 16, 1955 I5 Sheets-Sheet 1 MMM/fw ATTORNEYS G. D. SWAN May 12, 1959 AWNING Filed Feb. 16, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 2` INVENTOR 17e/aeg 'w/aff/ ATTORNEYS G. D. swAN lMay 12, V1959.

AWNING Filed Feb. 16, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR 'eafge jeu/ey .5u/aw u; l JIM...

ATTORNEYS zxmaterials, even .including tscreen. fabric. .n ,3,

each individually simple andi ruggedin construction; and capable Aof assembly :for furnishngaunitary 4structure.,` i of" great` economy and fcapable :of use (over long` .periodsV t had totheV attachedwsheets of` drawings illustratingrprac- .tical` embodiments of;..lthefinvention,and inw,hich;r` jct Fig. 1v isf'a front 4elevation of .a `porch-r-structure..or

HCC

"United Parent-f t 255.865.1041 l n n 'i George Dewey Swan, i t "t Application February 16,1955, Serial alaiifi'jftl; 1611-473) n n r" This `invention relates to a structurally andfunctionally .not n limited `solely to ther use` of a` liquid-imperviousnor water-resistant fabric, but being also, ,usable withother It? is a primaryl object` of `the invention to :furnish-ta the `disadvantages. heretofore inherent n to the use, of` g an 'improved awning assembly;.theypresenttteachingsnbeing E :structure which `willqbe capablepL-being readily shifted :from inoperative or retracted `position to an operative, ,or :extended condition. 'When so f extended, `a roofenclosure `"will,tforfexarnple, beprovidedA whichtwill have none, of 5 :awning structure. `.More fespecially, the fabric willbe :maintained in .tauttconditiom so `:that an extremely pleasliing` appearance is presented, aside from the fact that `rmoisturewill nottend to collect or ,tpocket upon tthe upper surface .ofwthefabrict These` results `vvillzbe adhieveddespite `the fact thattheassemblymay bepperated` withminimu'm effort and without.itbeiugnecessary to @overcome extreme?A conditions ofttensiontand friction m .lt 11 While `this invention is applicableto, awning structures "r 4thoseoffurnishing a structure whichwill `include relatively few parts,

of .time withufreedomtfrom all,-diiculties.J 1 n Vllliththesexandothertlzobjectsin,mind, reference-.is

similar enclosure, l :showing` the :awning applied` thereto; ,Fig 2V is: a fragmentaryl sectional "View in `.enlarged scale, Itaken 1alongL/the` line t 2--2` inl the ,direction `of `the arrows as indicateduin Fig. 1;` ,t t

Figi?, `is atransversesectonalrvi (taken along the line 3-3 in the direction of the arrows asj also indicated Fig. 4 is yantransverse sectional taken 4along the 'line`4--4 in the direction of the arrows as yindicatedin Fig; 5 Vis a fragmentarywplan,viewmtaken along-,the lline SQS inttherdirection of the .arrows as indicatedfin Fig.4;* i

one of `the awning lsupportstas illustrated inthe `preced- "ing views; y t

`A Fig. 7F isf a` sectional side `View of `ai support andv with which thereis associated an operatingnmecha-nism oftal- 7()n ternativefstructu're frornfthatzshown` iii-the preceding Views; and

of l.diverse types, it is `particularly.adaptable topporches. t adjoining `.homes `and `otherfstructures.` Whereso:,dist posed, it makes `it feasible lforthe user to have` a porch which may beV located. in Jdiiferenttsituations in forexvarnple, the diiferent's'easonst oftheyealr; thestructure being susceptible to ready erctionnrlisrnantlingyand trans-g` y, portingwfrom one locality .tto` fanother. g, l t .t @Among further object'seofthe invention a ldelslfei` May, 112, 195:9

in which a door is to be mounted and `which 4door may likewise include a screen body so desired." Especially ,the `horizontal members 12of the structure` may be formed ,of `sections `such as `15 and 16 which are secured to- ,gether` by, `for example, bolts `17, to provide hollow units. Tube `separators 18 may encircle the bolts 1 7,\within,the Velementsl` and 16. `All of these` supporting `units `may ber constructed of diverse materials. 't It is preferred, however, to employ aluminum `orA .aluminum composition which is "extruded into final shape to thus furnish lightweight rigid` unitswhich may be economically produced.

tn-Disposed `adjacent thereanwall of the enclosure (which conveniently `the outer `wallgofthetadljacent building) isla roller including end flanges `19.` Coiled upon the `lattelyis a web ofsuitavble awning fabric. It i-s definitely preferred, accordingtofthe lpresent,teacliingspto use a non-stretchablelmaterial` whichmay have incorporated in it a desired degreel of opacity. The material may also be `of 4ahcharacter ,such that it iskjresistant tomildew and attaclg by insects, `Such a material may convenientlybe i 'znylom which A;is coated or impregnated with Vinyl. The

opposite ends'of the roller are supported upon suitable ,braeketslZl affixed to thewall. n A roller-.actuatingV mechanismmay. be includedlin` casing 22T `ItI embraces any suitable and convenient `design and `preferaluly includes Ta worm and wormwheeldrive of more or less conventional construction `so asto be irreversible. center support jbracketMZsv oflnsuitable design is alsolsecured tothe supporting wall and conveniently` mounts a'roller; Z4 riding firrfrictional` `Contact with fthe outer face of rollj2'0. This bracket also` preferably includes `a lower supporting `:portionrtvvhich mountsmairsn of carrying rollers 25and I 26 upon which `rolllt) rests. ;as roll? 204 turns, 4the-.pairs of Thus, `it is apparentthat Vrollers 25 and126 willlike- `wisebegturned t `Supports and guides for the awning structure `may be jjfurnished by channel members 27`and 28 which extend l outwardly from the wall and conveniently in a` downward i-direction, as shown, 1in Fig.` 2; T hese membersfaglainare 3preferablyformed` `of extruded aluminum. They `each f-thavefslots"adjacent their `upper surfaces, Vwhich Aafford `tfcomnnmication `to their interiors.` The material or web 29` `ofthe `awningis caused. to `enclose orbe ,attached to `elements having `Widths greater than theA slots." t Such elements arepreferably'continuous metallic` tapes such as '.30 and32 in Fig. I4..." Thelmetal employed may be, for

`example aluminum or stainless steel enclosed in envelopes V31` sewn or` otherwiseV attachedKto thel'web-` 29.- In` the 60,.y

caselofv mem'berZr'Z the fabric of thelenvelope ishpassed aroundl tape or `element 30 and through` `tlllehslot ofrfthat s gmemberr.V Thus, the materialwill have a .generally in- `verted T formationywiththe shankofthis structureex- .ttendingthrough` the slot, the arms of the head bearing Fig. 16 is 'a "fragmentary sectional `side view,}showing` j againsttthe inner ifaceof thechannel and the `portions 1- of `the web adjacentthe `shank lying in faceto-.face contact t. with.; the upper surface of the channel.

(i JMembers s uch as 28 preferably provide the end channels. In this case,'the envelope is again. `disposed to` exttendpintortheV channels. The awning material conven- 1. iently extends 4beyond. the` jsame in the form ofahemzSS to bear against the upper surface of member 28: `Atthis "bers,

ofthe-'handle vis swunggither 4 member 27 may be defined by upturned guiding lips` 51. VThese will-servetocontact. the.V outer... surface. of ,webr to prevent the same fromrbeing. scored or damaged. Likewise, channel member 27 and 28, together with all corresponding members, may be cross-braced by transversely extending members 52, which are conveniently hollow and also extruded. Attachment between these parts may be effected by ,for;: .example, screws or bolts. Beyond the guiding lips or offset portions 51, channel members 27 may have 'their' upper surfaces open as indicated at 54. This .will,perrr1it.o accss `to a securing element 53, by which their inner ends may be attached to theiwll. yIiithesesupporting chann'elmembers-frequire shortening, they-should, ofcourse, be severed adjacent these inner ends. In this manner, the over-all surface protected by the awning structure will be reduced. While on the subject of that structure, it will be appreciated that in lien of awning material of the type heretofore speideverrsereening; material `frnight- Ibe employed to efth webf29f l'By" properfoperationfof the` parts, respondin'g-'web would be-pfojectediandretracted 'lohgthe; supports;kv f f Regardless of thetypebfinateriallemployed,kandewith A'thefprts, ssenibledin `-the Ymanner*described, it will be "assumed-that it-'isfdesiredJ xto: extend.' the. -av`vningitoe the -po'sitionfsh'owri iri Fi'gfl;"as-wellas'v Fig; 3.1' #Under these circumstances,rthevrriechanismfwithinfhcusing '22s willi-be -fctated'toicause rll-20, asfinfFig. 2; to-lrotatefin aclo'ckwise? die'ct'iona' Sofmvingf,x rollersy iZS-willit-beffrevolved 30 yincident Y their frictionalfengagemcnbf .with :the-y [outer 'Jsf1rface;ofj the* roll. f'i LThis Willa causey pulleys; 50l ,-,toabe f rotated-1 a'nd, by"`lmeans:f. otheffdr-ive.: alordedmthrqngh "-"'b'e1ts`""49, alsimilarirotationi on thevpart of .pulleys-1.48. That' ''ottionwillfcause shaft-M6 :to revolver and .similarly "nibve thef f cablewreels 545. ".The flatter ifwill,- bunder@ this movementif draw' the cables ont'otheiribdies. .'Ihe cables -pssifeverpulleys orfrollersf'uwithinslchannel members 27.A They lreverse their course around pulley onfroll'er 1VP43'"inl'-"eacl'rozifthel channelfmembers.Beingsecured to L10-the outer edgeiportion vfand,"preferably the .bar'k `41 A'of webf29gl t Ithey willi therefore riserve to drawg; thatl vweb `r`ic'vv'nvvardly o'yerichannelmmembers 527;and1 28;'.` This 'lrhovernent '-'willf `cc'intinu'e'ruht-i1 the :web is -fullys projected. It istelberemembered "that thefratio 4ofdrive isrfsuchthat "'thacablestendf'totravel slightly. .more rapidly. ;than the web. Therefore, thesei cablesgwillvconstantlyf maintain a -`tensioiionf'thatiweb; so-that 'it `rwillfrernain insnugcontact @with the \upp 'ri surfaces# of:` `:the: :supporting: members. l web is'e'xtendeditofthezdesiredfeirtentbars 053 'r'rybe hiftedftoifadjustfthetransversentensionson thlw'veb A's`v` theslots 'xdened l'by the: edges;3 of: these bars and thev 'adjacent edges-of r channel membersf28 ,are @i elu'cedfi widththe necessary@ pullon -webf-i29,isexerted. ""fTh' `lt rwwillv adjustfitself Itransversely."E.F Itrprefe'rably beingfnonelasticfasffbeforefrbrought out; itrwillxk quickly "riassume prop'erl'yftaut condition. Fr'flovretractfthelawng', a me eversalf'in movementofthesparts is-:fnccessary." l* derthese-circumstances;fcables 42 avilll hqpyed i1"outfbu-t-fwillf r1everthelessernairitain'fthe-,inner :face `efythe web in proper contact with-.fthe channelemembers':

retacti'onlry becontinuedmntil :substantially @they fffvebis-:upenrhe rialzo.;z :r 1

A In lieu of the mechanism shown in Figs. :1 6;-glto vr@assur-e Fafproperrprojectioitof theifawninggweb, a-jmechlaiism'suchfl-as"tisfshown in Figs. :Til-and 8:,may-fbef-:em-

ployed. In Fthat case, the uprights indicated at;.55;'cor lfrespbnd t`o"Ithosefheretoforenidentied undennumerals Hihihi/2731? As'haft15'6 carryingffa'tsuitable :numberiof sheaves or pulleys is mounted transversely of .thegsup- 7m Yp'rt SSfand withinfitsfinteriorzg: Amable :.isfconvenihntly ...t Serednto ftheupright sand passes :a011l1dsthe1a heaves monnted by a shaft 58. The latter is supported by, a f'rovablehlock' the-.f-lo'werlend-ehvhichz attached to spring;eo-mfrhatspring; inftum-,zhas-itsrlovveniendlaxed YeI-.te-ferrexample; the'base porrionfzof; support-,isf

The upper end of the cable 57 passes beyond shaft 56 and extends through the slot 62 formed at least in the upper end of the support 55. It is attached to, for example, the bar 41 of web 29. It will be apparent that if, conveniently, three passes of cable 57 are disposed around the sheaves or pulleys mounted by shafts 56 and '8, block 59 will travel at only one-third the speed of web 29. This will be despite the fact that the end of the cable 57 attached to the free end of the awning material will move in unison with the latter. A greater or lesser number of passes may, of course, be employed.

However, with spring 60 involving a proper contractive force, it is apparent that it will constantly exert a pull on block 59, which, in turn, through cable 57, will be transmitted to web 29.

The latter will be retracted or permitted to project incident the operation of mechanism 22. As it projects, bar 41, under the pulling force exerted by cables 57, will move outwardly and downwardly. As it is retracted, a resistance will be imposed upon movement by the web 29. In the instance of the structure shown in Fig. 2, roller 25 will of course drive reels 45 through pulleys 50. Due to increasing effective diameter of the reels 45 as the cable 42 is wound there-around and the slippage capable of occurring at this point, complete compensation is achieved so that the material is maintained in taut condition. Under both conditions, that web will be maintained in rm sliding contact with the upper faces of the supporting members or channels. In all forms of construction, it will be apparent that the material of web 29 will be properly anchored against displacement `with respect to the channel members. However, it may, without diculty, slide longitudinally of those members as the operating mechanism is caused to function.

Thus, among others, the several objects of the invention as specifically aforenoted are achieved. Obviously, numerous changes in construction and rearrangements of the parts might be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention as deiined by the claims.

I claim:

l. An awning structure including, in combination, a web of material, a channelled supporting member therefor, said web resting upon said member, means attached to said web and extending through the channel of said member to retain said web against withdrawal from said member, said web being movable longitudinally of said member, and manually adjustable means for tensioning said web in a transverse direction.

2. An awning structure including, in combination, a downwardly inclined channelled member formed with a slot in its upper surface, a web of material supportable in sliding contact with the upper surface of said member, Said web having an outer end, a cable within said member and extending through the yslot of the same, said cable being connected to the lower and outer end of said web, and means for moving said cable.

3. An awning structure including, in combination, a channeled member formed with a slot in its upper surface, a web of material supportable in sliding contact with the upper surface of said member, said web having an outer end, a cable within said member and extending through the slot of the same, said cable being connected to the end of said web, means for moving said cable, a flexible reinforcing strip disposed within said member,

6 means for connecting the material of said web to said strip and said connecting means extending through said slot to the exterior of said member.

4. In combination, a movably supported roll of awning material having an outer end, driving means for winding and unwinding said roll, a slotted guide and support extending away from said roll and in contact with the upper surface of which said material slides, means con nected to such material and extending through said slot to bear against another surface of said guide to movably retain said material against separation therefrom, and means connected to the outer end of such material to subject the latter to tension.

5. In combination, a movably supported roll of awning material having an outer end, driving means for Winding and unwinding said roll, a slotted'guide and support exten-ding away from said roll and in contact with the upper surface of which Said material slides, a. strip extending longitudinally of and within said guide, connecting means passing through said slot and attached to said strip whereby it is movably retained against separation from said guide, and means connected to the outer end of such material to subject the latter to tension.

6. In combination, a movably supported roll of awning material having an outer end, driving means for winding and unwinding said roll, a plurality of slotted guides and supports extending away from said roll and in contact with the upper surface of which said material slides, means connected to such material and extending through such slots to ride against another surface of said guide to movably retain said material against sep-aration therefrom, and means `for increasing and decreasing the width of the slot forming La part of at least one guide to subject the connecting means and said material to increasing and decreasing tension.

7. An awning structure including in combination a plurality of supports extending in a substantially horizontal plane and having channels with restricted entrance portions in their upper faces, a layer of material overlying said supports and carried thereby, means for shifting said material layer over said supports, retaining means riding within said supports, said material extending through the entrance portions thereof into the interior of said supports and means for connecting said material within said supports to said retaining means.

8. In an awning structure as specified in claim 7, and means associated with one of said supports for exerting a transverse strain on said material to tension the same.

9. In 'an awning structure as specified in claim 7, said material shifting means comprising elements extending within the channels of said supports and means connecting said elements to said material.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 550,412 Harris Nov. 26, 1895 669,967 Solomon Mar. 12, 1901 1,749,197 Stuart Mar. 4, 1930 1,882,982 Schmiedeskamp Nov. 25, 193() 2,324,536 Pratt July 20, 1943 2,513,042 Mulm .lune 27. 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 645,663 France July 3, 1928 

